Kings of Leon’s Nathan Followill talks Bonnaroo 2010

One of the bigger Nashville-related bits of the 2010 Bonnaroo lineup, announced today: Middle Tennessee rock success story Kings of Leon takes one of the headlining slots. We gave drummer Nathan Followill a quick call after the Bonnaroo news broke, and talked with him about the experience of graduating from a Bonnaroo small-stage newbie to the top of the bill.

Bonnaroo is one of a very few appearances you guys are making in 2010 – was this one that you really wanted to do?

"It’s always great, because it’s so close. We always have people asking us when we’re going to play Nashville again or play somewhere around here again, so it’s great to do Bonnaroo.

"It’s fun to play your own shows, but Bonnaroo, you get to work up there for two and a half hours, but you get to play for the rest of the weekend . . . We jumped at the chance when they asked us to do it. It’s definitely our biggest show to date, I would say in America, as far as festivals go. Well, I don’t know. (Austin City Limits) and Lollapalooza were pretty big too, but this is sweet because it’s like our homecoming."

Kings of Leon are the first band to graduate from the tents at Bonnaroo to a headlining slot -- how does that feel?

"We’re really blessed. You can go back and look at all the bands that were playing the first year we played there. We’ve been really lucky to stick around this long, and thankful that we have cool enough fans that allow us to go out there . . . They’ve still stuck with us and it feels great. I think it’ll be a very surreal moment when we’re looking out at that crowd. That’ll be the cherry on top."

Any memories from previous Bonnaroo performances that stick out in your mind?

"The only reason I can actually remember it is because people send it to me all the time from YouTube, saying it was one of their favorite performances of ours ever. It was us performing 'Trani' in one of those covered pavilions, I think they consider that a tent.

"I don’t know, but I just remember playing there, and there were kids camping out from the night before. Kids actually slept under the pavilion after the last show that night just so they could get to the front row for our set. That was really one of the first times that we realized, like, ‘Holy (cow), these kids are here for us. They actually want to hear us play, they’re not just listening to us because they want to get a good spot for the headliner that night.’

"That was pretty fun, and plus, we messed up horribly on that song, and no one realized it. Back then we weren’t scared to shake our heads around and get our hair in our faces."

You guys have played your share of festivals, both in the U.S. and abroad -- what makes Bonnaroo stand out?

"I think what makes it stand out in our minds is that Bonnaroo the festival is kind of like we were as a band. We’ve seen it go from the very beginning when it was just a festival out in the middle of a field in Manchester, Tenn. and had a diehard core audience of fans, but man, it has just grown into one of the biggest festivals in the world.

"It’s just been really neat to sit back and watch. They amaze us every year with how much they learn. They’re very studious. We’ll see them at festivals all around the world. They’re taking notes and figuring out ways that they can make it a better experience for the fan. I think that’s really cool, because I mean, it can go on name alone, just because it’s ‘Bonnaroo.’ But they still make an effort to make it better each year.

"I met my wife (singer-songwriter Jessie Baylin) at Bonnaroo three years ago, so it’ll always be one of my favorite festivals, and a special one in my mind. I wouldn’t have my wife if it wasn’t for Bonnaroo, so it’s a good one for me."